Anger mounts among local fishers over netting practices

LOCAL fishers are up in arms over what they claim are invasive netting practices along the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula.

Multiple fishers have reported a boat from Melbourne has been traversing the coast and trawling 2km of netting behind it at popular spots including Cosy Corner and Whites Beach, areas frequented by recreational fishers.

Recreational fishers have complained the 2km nets are depleting local fish stocks, leaving little behind for them and decimating the natural environment.

The issue has sparked fears of violence if the situation remains unaddressed.

One fisher, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed his frustration.

“He puts out 2km of mesh net extremely close to shore,” he said.

“It’s totally inappropriate to have two kilometres hoovering up everything along the coast.”

“The recreational fishermen are getting angry. I hope it doesn’t lead to violence.”

Victorian Fisheries Authority chief executive officer Travis Dowling defended the practice.

“There’s a bit of misinformation,” he said.

“It’s not a big trawler.”

“The netting is being done under an ocean access license, which has been in place for the past 40 years.

“This practice is legal and has been part of our fisheries management for decades.”

Mr Dowling acknowledged the frustrations of recreational fishers but said the netting was legal.

“We understand the concerns and are in discussions with both recreational and commercial fishers about resource sharing.

“It’s a sustainable fishery, and it’s an offshore fishery, so from a sustainability position, we don’t have concerns.”